Ambulance



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. P. DUGAN & T. SAUERBRUNN.

AMBULANGB.

No. 459,273. Patented Sept. 8, 1891.

I (UU (No Model.) a sheenssneet 2.

J. F. DUGAN 8v T. SAUERBRUNN. AMBULANGB.

No. 459,273. Patented Sept. 8, 1891.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 3. J. F. DUGAN & T. SAUERBRUNN.

AMBULANGE.

(No Model.)

No. 459,273. Patented Sept. 8,1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JAMES F. DUGAN AND THOMAS SAUERBRUNN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

AMBULANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,273, datedSeptember 8, 1891.

Application filed May 29, 1891. Serial No. 394,539. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that We, .I AMES F. DUGAN and THOMAS SAUEREEUNN, of the cityof St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Ambulances, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part hereof.

Our invention relates to improvements in ambulances; and it consists inthe novel arrangement and combination of parts, as will be more fullyhereinafter described, and designated in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an end View of our invention. Fig. 2 is avertical cross-section of the same. Fig. 3 is aperspcctive View of thestretcher which we employ in carrying out our invention. Fig'. et is aside elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan View of a stretcher.Fig. G is a perspective view of a supporting-plate for the stretcherrods or handles. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an operative handle orrod for the stretcher. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are views of the supportingmechanism for the hinged seats. y

We will explain the object of our invention in connection with thevarious mechanisms employed.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the frame-work or box of theambulance, which embodies the ordinary construction. Located in saidframework is a yieldingly-supported additional bottom or bed 2, of theconstruction as illustrated in Fig. 2 and of the specic construction aswill be more fully hereinafter described. Said additional frame-Workconsists of supporting-pieces 3, constructed, preferably, of iron or anyother metallic substance, and lined with Wood, to which the iioor 4 maybe secured. The metallic supporting-pieces 3 terminate in lJ-shapedportions 5, which portions are secured in any suitable and mechanicalmanner to the side seats o. Said side seats are located in theambulance-box, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and extend throughout theentire length of the same. Each of said side seats G is mounted uponthree or any suitable number of semi-elliptic springs 7, and saidsprings 7 are secured in any suitable and mechanical manner to thehorizontal portion 8 of the ambulance-box or frame work. It may beobserved in this connection that the frame-Work or box 1 is alsosupported on springs of the usual construction, supported by therunning-gear of the ambulance. It can be readily perceived from thisconstruction that the additional. frame-work of bed 3 is yieldinglysupported on semi-elliptic springs 7, and is also indirectly yieldinglysupported upon the springs on which the box or framework 1 of theambulance is mounted. This construction mustnecessarily reduce thejolting or j ostling of the yieldingly-supported frame-work 3 to aminimum.

9 indicates supplemental cushioned seats, which are hinged in anysuitable and mechanical manner to side seats G. Said seats 9 may assumeposition as shown in Fig. 2, wherein they are folded back on seat G atthe left hand of said ligure, or they may occupy the position as shownin the righthand of said figure, where they are folded down in a hori-Zontal position.

10 indicates a lazy-back, which is secured to the inside of the box ofthe ambulance in any suitable and mechanical manner, and 11 indicates aremovable or portable lazy-back, which is supported to the box of theambulance by means of straps 12 of any suitable construction. This backmay be removed and placed on the additional yieldinglysup portedframe-work 3, as illustrated in Fig. 1, in which position it has the useand function of a mattress on which the patients maybe placed.

13 indicates the stretcher itself, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the samebeing provided on its side with leather loops 14, as illustrated in Fig.4, and on the bottom with two sets of rollers 15 and 16, as illustratedin Fig. 5, the uses of which will be more fully hereinafter described.

17 indicate operating rods or handles, which are adapted to be insertedin loops 14, the function of which handles is to manipulate stretcher13, whenever desired.

The seats 6 are provided with removable cushions 18, as illustrated inFig. 1. Said cushions may, however, occupy the position, wheneverdesired, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, in which position they havethe function of a mattress on which the patients may be placed, ashereinbefore stated.

The normal position of the stretcher when ICO in use is illustrated inFig. 1, wherein it is shown supported by the hinged seats 9, interposedbetween the removable cushions 13.

Whenever it is desired to so locate the stretcher, as illustrated inFig. 1, the operator should first open the hinged seats 9, therebycausing them to assume a horizontal position, as shown in said Fig. 1.The stretcher is then rolled in, the rollers 15 coming in contact withthe hinged seats 9. The operating-handles are then removed, the frontends of the same being pushed through holes 20, formed in the partition21, and the rear ends of the same supported in plates 22. It may beobserved in this connection that the rear ends of the operative handle17 are provided with decreased portions 23, which are adapted to lit ingroove or recess 24 on supporting-plates 22, and mounted upon saiddecreased portion 23 are knobs or nuts 25, which prevent theoperating-handles working out of their proper locations. The obj ect ofrollers 1G, carried by the stretcher, is to roll or carryin thestretcher when the same is placed upon the additionalyieldingly-supported frame-Work or bed 3.

Having given a sufficiently elaborate description of the mechanicalparts of our invention, we will now proceed to describe the use of thesame. Then the patients are unable to sit up, the stretcher 13 andcushions 18 and the hinged seats.9 should occupy the position as shownin Fig. 1, and also as shown in dotted lines in said figure. From eitherof these arrangements several patients may be placed side by side on thestretcher 13 and cushions 18. Vhen the patients are able to sit up, thestretcher is removed and may be placed down in the bottom or supported,as illustrated, to the right of Fig. 2, and the seats 9 may be turnedback, as shown to the left of Fig. 2. Ordinary judgment, however,

' will suggest the best arrangement for accommodating patients.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 10 supporting mechanism for the hinged seats 9 isshown. 211 indicates a guide or cleat, which is firmly secured to thelower surface of the side seat 6. 25 indicates a supporting-brace, whichis pivotally secured to -the side seats G. Said brace is provided with aspring 26, the same adapted to fit in a depression or groove 27, formedin cleat 24:. The function of said spring is to hold brace 25 in itsnormal position under l the hinged seat 9. The function of brace 25, ascan be readily perceived from the drawings, is to firmly support thehinged seat 9.

Having fully described our invention, what We claim isl. The combinationof supporting-pieces 3, side seats 6, secured to said supporting-pieces,yielding supports for said side seats, a suitable bottom secured to saidsupporting-pieces 3,'and hinged seats 9, secured to said seats G,substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of metallic supportingpieces 3, the same terminatingin U-shaped portions 5, a suitable iioor secured to saidsupporting-pieces 3, side seats, such as 6, secured to saidsupporting-pieces 3, yielding supports, such as springs S, mounted onthe ambulancebox for supporting said side seats, hinged seats, such as9, secured to said side seats, and a brace, such as 25, for iirmlysupporting said hinged seat 9, substantially as set forth.

In an ambulance, a stretcher, such as 13, provided with tWo series ofrollers 15 and 16 and with leather loops llhhandles or poles, such as17, provided with decreased portions 23, and knobs 25, secured to saiddecreased portions, and plates 24:, of the character described, forsupporting said handles when not in use, substantially as set forth.

4. In an ambulance, the described mechanism for rmly supporting thehinged seats thereof, consisting of a cleat, such as 24, provided with adepression 27, and a brace, such as 25, provided with a spring 2G,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof We affix oursiguatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

JAMES F. DUGAN. THOMAS SAUERBRUNN. Witnesses:

C. F. KELLER, ED. E. LoNGAN.

